Through-wafer interconnects for photoimager and memory wafers

ABSTRACT

A through-wafer interconnect for imager, memory and other integrated circuit applications is disclosed, thereby eliminating the need for wire bonding, making devices incorporating such interconnects stackable and enabling wafer level packaging for imager devices. Further, a smaller and more reliable die package is achieved and circuit parasitics (e.g., L and R) are reduced due to the reduced signal path lengths.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/924,781 filed Oct. 26, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,683,458, which is adivisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/932,296 filed Sep. 2, 2004,now U.S. Pat. No. 7,300,857, both of which are incorporated by referencein their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to imager and memory wafers, andmore particularly to through-wafer interconnects and blind vias forimager and memory devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As depicted in FIG. 1, a conventional bond pad structure 100 is built ona silicon substrate 110 covered by an oxide layer 120. The bond pad 130is embedded within a passivation layer 140. A conductive gold wire (160)ball (150) bond is formed and attached on a central upper surface of thebond pad 130.

A disadvantage of direct bond pad connection on the top side of the die,as depicted in FIG. 1, includes the fact that they sometimes require awire bond 160 to be electrically connected to a lead frame or otherstructure for final die packaging. Another method that involves flipchip packaging at the wafer level involves a re-distribution layer (RDL)that allows the bond pad pitch to be routed to a more useable pitch inorder to attach a solder ball directly on the top side of the die. Bothof these packaging approaches involve contacting the bond pads on thetop side of the die. As a result, this limits the ability to stackmemory and imager devices. Furthermore, the ability to attach the coverglass on imager wafers at the wafer level is limited due to therequirement to make contact to the bond pad on the top side of thewafer. Accordingly, it is desirable to develop a through-waferinterconnect to eliminate the need for wire bonding, to increase thevolumetric circuit device density, to minimize the size of the die'spackaging, to make memory devices stackable and to enable wafer levelpackaging (WLP) methods for imager wafers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the shortcomings described above andprovides in disclosed exemplary embodiments a through-wafer interconnectfor imager, memory and other integrated circuit applications, therebyeliminating the need for wire bonding, making devices incorporating suchinterconnects stackable to allow increased volumetric density and devicefunctionality and enabling WLP for imager devices. Further, a smallerand more reliable die package is achieved and circuit parasitics (e.g.,L and R) are reduced due to the reduced signal path lengths.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the invention will bemore readily understood from the following detailed description of theinvention which is provided in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a conventional bond pad structure;

FIG. 2 depicts an initial portion of a process for manufacturing athrough-wafer interconnect, in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing athrough-wafer interconnect, in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing athrough-wafer interconnect, in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing athrough-wafer interconnect, in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 6 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing athrough-wafer interconnect, in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 7 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing athrough-wafer interconnect, in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 8 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing athrough-wafer interconnect, in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 9 depicts an initial portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 17 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 18 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 21 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 22 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 23 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 24 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 25 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 26 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 27 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 28 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 29 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 30 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 31 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 32 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 33 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 34 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention;and

FIG. 35 depicts a further portion of a process for manufacturing a blindvia, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown byway of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may bepracticed. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail toenable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention,and it is to be understood that structural, logical or proceduralchanges may be made to the specific embodiments disclosed withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a portion of a semiconductor wafer 200 at a stage of aprocess for manufacturing a through-wafer interconnect for an integratedcircuit device. A bond pad 240 is depicted as being formed over asilicon (Si) substrate 230 and within a passivation layer 220 or layers.Beneath the passivation layer 220 is a borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG)layer 225. The bond pad 240 is depicted as being a monolithic structure,however, the bond pad 240 may take other forms including a multipletiered structure. When the wafer 200 is an imager wafer, this portion ofthe process may be performed either prior to or after a color filterarray (CFA) 720 and microlenses 710 (depicted in dotted lines) have beenformed on the top surface of the wafer 200. One advantage to forming theinterconnect prior to forming the CFA 720 and lenses 710 is that the CFAand lenses may be somewhat delicate and sensitive to heat; thus, formingthe interconnect prior to their formation may result in less risk todamaging the array.

FIG. 3 depicts a hole, or via, 300 formed in a center of the bond pad240 from the passivation layer 220 down through the substrate 230. Theinitial opening to create the hole 300 is formed by sequences ofpatterning and etching (either wet or dry) through the dielectric andmetal layers. For instance, a dry etch may be performed to remove thetop portion of passivation layer 220. A dry etch may be performedthrough the metal 240. A dry etch may be performed through the BPSGlayer 225. A wet etch may be performed to form the initial hole 300 inthe bulk silicon and to form an initial dimple in the Si 230. A laserdrill process or deep silicon, dry etch process may then be conducted onthe Si substrate 230, followed by a wet clean process. Also depicted isthe application of a dielectric 310 to line the walls of the hole 300and to electrically insulate the subsequent conductive materials in thevia from shorting to the bulk silicon substrate. The dielectric alsocovers the top of the bond pad 240 and the upper passivation layer 220.The dielectric 310 may be low silane oxide (LSO) or any known method todeposit dielectric films using ALD, CVD, PECVD or other means commonlyused in the art.

FIG. 4 depicts the interconnect structure with the dielectric 310removed from the passivation layer 220 and the bond pad 240 by a spaceretch process (e.g., chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) or a dryvertical oxide etch). The dielectric 310 remains as a liner of the wallsof the hole 300.

FIG. 5 depicts a plating layer 410 of nickel on a seed material such astitanium nitride (TiN) or tungsten (W), or copper (Cu) on tantalum (Ta),or copper (Cu) on tungsten (W), or other conductive materials and othercombinations of these materials, deposited on top of the dielectric 310on the sidewalls of the via 300 and on top of a portion of the bond pad240. The seed material or materials are removed from the top passivationsurface by CMP or photo/etch processing. This removal process does notremove the material in the via or on the bond pad.

FIG. 6 depicts the hole 300 as being filled with solder 510 utilizingplating or molten solder. It should be noted that other conductivematerials (e.g., copper, nickel, conductive polymers, etc.) may be usedto fill the hole 300 and/or conductive materials may also be plated tofill the hole. (e.g., nickel, copper, etc.). A dielectric layer 610 isthen applied to the lower surface of the wafer 200.

As depicted in FIG. 7, a CMP process may then be performed on the topsurface 740 and the bottom surface 750. Another variation of the processis to use a wet etch rather then CMP to etch away the protruding solder510 or nickel plating 800 (FIG. 8). It should be noted that the CMPprocess may not be necessary for memory device applications as the finalsurface topography may not be critical. For an imager wafer, the CFA 720and lenses 710 are then formed on top of the upper flat surface 740.Performing a planarization process after the solder 510 fill operationhelps to provide a smooth surface in which to apply the CFA andmicrolens material. The smooth wafer surface prevents streaking andother imperfections which can affect the optical performance of the CFAand microlens structures.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the via 510electrically connects bond pad 240 with the top surface 740 of the waferand the bottom surface 750 of the wafer resulting in a much moreefficient package that is stackable for memory devices and that lendsitself to wafer level packaging for imager devices.

FIG. 8 depicts another exemplary embodiment in which the nickel plating800 is flush with the passivation layer 220. In this embodiment, the topmetal layer of the bond pad 240 is plated with nickel. In this manner,when the solder 510 filling the hole 300 is planarized by CMP, thenickel remains at the top-most portion of the through-waferinterconnect.

Turning to FIG. 9, an initial step in another exemplary process forforming a through-wafer interconnect with a blind via is depicted. Aninitial step in this exemplary process is to form a blind via thatrecesses only partially through a semiconductor substrate. A simplifiedillustration of a completed wafer is depicted as containing a siliconsubstrate 900 and a bond pad 920 provided near an upper surface which issurrounded by a passivation layer 910. The passivation layer 910 islocated above an insulation layer, such as BPSG layer 930. As depictedin FIG. 10, the passivation layer is removed from an area over a portionof bond pad 920, by a dry etch process up to the bond pad 920 leaving anopening 1000 in the passivation layer.

As depicted in FIG. 11, a wet or dry metal etch is performed through thebond pad 920 down to surface 1100 of the BPSG layer 930. FIG. 12 depictsa nickel plating 1200 formed on the bond pad 920. An oxide etch isperformed on the lower passivation layer and down to the top layer 1300of the silicon substrate 900, as depicted in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 depictsthe optional application of a polyimide coat 1400 to planarize andprotect the frontside of the wafer from residual metals on the verticalsurfaces of the wafer topography. These residual metals are formed whenmaterial is not sufficiently removed in previous CMP or wet or dry etchprocessing.

As depicted in FIG. 15, a resist coat 1500 is applied for performing adeep silicon etch. The results of the etch are depicted in FIG. 16 inwhich a via 1600 approximately 150-300 micrometers deep has been etched.The deep silicon etch resist coat 1500 is then stripped, as depicted inFIG. 17. FIG. 18 depicts the deposition of a dielectric material 1800 onthe via 1600 sidewalls and other surfaces. The dielectric 1800 serves asan electrical insulation layer for the sidewalls. In FIG. 19, results ofa spacer dry etch are depicted as having removed the dielectric from thesurface 1400, but maintaining the dielectric 1800 on the via sidewalls.

Turning to FIG. 20, a seed layer of conductive material is formed on thedielectric and on the metal bond pads through processes known in the artsuch as e.g., CVD, PECVD, PVD. In FIG. 21, the seed layer is coveredwith photoresist 2150 to protect the surface from subsequent platingsteps. Electroless or electrolytic nickel plating 2000 is depicted onthe sidewalls 2010 of the via 1600 and also on the top portion of thebond pad 920. In the optional flow of using polyimide 1400, thepolyimide 1400 may be stripped from the surface of the passivation layer910 (FIG. 21). The via 1600 is filled with conductive material such assolder 2200 utilizing plating or molten solder as depicted in FIG. 22.FIG. 23 depicts a thinned wafer 2300 having been processed by backgrind,CMP, wet etch, dry etch, or any other thinning method known in the art.

FIG. 24 depicts an optional tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) siliconetch that exposed the dielectric 2410 on the bottom side of the via andcauses the via insulation and via fill material to slightly protrude outfrom the backside surface. Regardless of whether the TMAH etch isperformed, a dielectric deposition is applied to passivate the backside2500 of the wafer, as illustrated in FIG. 25. With the via protruding inthe manner described, CMP or a wet etch may be performed across theentire backside of the wafer in order to remove the insulating materialcovering the solder while maintaining a passivation layer over bulksilicon regions of the backside of the wafer.

As an alternate embodiment to CMP exposure of the solder on the backsideof the wafer, turning to FIG. 26, a resist 2600 is applied to thebackside of the wafer and in FIG. 27, the lower level of passivation isremoved by applying a photo pattern and performing a wet oxide etch ordry spacer etch to expose the lower layer of solder 2700. The resist isstripped and a solder ball 2800 may be attached to the bottom of the via1600, as depicted in FIG. 28. Alternatively, a solder ball 2800 could beattached to the top of the via 1600, or a solder ball 2800 could beattached to both the top and the bottom, or not attached at all.

As depicted in FIG. 28, a through-wafer interconnect 2830 is formed inwhich the interconnect 2830 extends from a topside surface 2810 of thewafer where it is electrically connected to a bond pad 920, to abottomside surface 2820 of the wafer and in which a solder ball 2800 isattached and electrically connected to the bottomside surface of theinterconnect 2830. As a result, the interconnect 2830 is actually partof the structure of the device or circuit included within the wafer andis more reliable, due to shorter connections and fewer parts, enabling asubsequent packaging size of the die to be greatly reduced and allowingdie to be stacked with no wire bonding.

Turning to FIGS. 29-35, a second exemplary process for forming a blindvia is depicted. The beginning of the second exemplary process isidentical to the portions of the first exemplary process depicted abovein connection with FIGS. 9-22 The process continues at FIG. 29, asdescribed below.

FIG. 29 depicts a carrier 3500 bonded to the upper layer of the waferwith a carrier bonding adhesive 3520 and the wafer is thinned to surface3510 though any thinning process known in the art. The carrier materialcould be a substrate such as silicon, glass, silicon nitride, aluminumnitride, or any other material suitable for use as a carrier substrate.The adhesive can be photoresist, photo-definable epoxy, an adhesive tapemedium, UV releasable tape, etc. A TMAH silicon etch may be optionallyperformed to expose the via 3610 at the bottom of the via and cause itto slightly protrude from the surface, as depicted in FIG. 30.

FIG. 31 depicts a dielectric deposition 3700 to passivate the backsideof the wafer and FIG. 32 depicts a resist and pattern 3810 applied tothe backside of the wafer to prepare for an etch process on thebackside. A wet passivation etch or dry spacer etch is performed toremove the backside passivation 3700 from the solder via 3900, asdepicted at FIG. 33. This may also be accomplished with a light CMP orgrind operation which leaves passivation material over the bulk siliconwhile allowing the solder to be exposed on the backside of the filledvia. FIG. 34 depicts the removal of the resist 3810 and the applicationof solder ball 4010. FIG. 35 depicts removal of the carrier 3500.

Here again, a through-wafer interconnect 4100 is formed in which theinterconnect 4100 extends from a topside surface 4110 of the wafer,where it is electrically connected to a bond pad 920, to a bottomsidesurface 4120 of the wafer and in which a solder ball 4010 is attachedand electrically connected to the interconnect 4100. The interconnect ispart of the structure of the device or circuit included within a die andis more reliable, due to fewer connections and external parts, enablinga subsequent packaging size of a die to be greatly reduced.

In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention, packagingsolutions are described which eliminate wire bonding to bond pads. As aresult, die performance and reliability are enhanced. Furthermore, theseprocesses result in much smaller die packages which may be stacked andwhich lend themselves to WLP. Packaging costs are also significantlyreduced as a result.

While the invention has been described in detail in connection withpreferred embodiments known at the time, it should be readily understoodthat the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Rather,the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations,alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretoforedescribed, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of theinvention. For example, although the processes are described in aspecific order, some of the process steps may be performed in an orderdifferent than that described above. Further, while the processes aredescribed in connection with imager and memory wafers, the invention isnot limited to such applications. The invention may be practiced withother types of wafers as well as any device that would benefit from sucha through-wafer interconnect. Accordingly, the invention is not limitedby the foregoing description or drawings, but is only limited by thescope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is related tomicroelectronic workpiece processing systems and associated methods ofcolor correction.

1. A microelectronic device comprising: a substrate having a generallyplanar frontside surface opposite a backside surface; a bond pad carriedby the substrate proximate to the frontside surface; and an interconnectextending through the substrate and electrically coupled to the bondpad, the interconnect comprising— a hole extending from the frontsidesurface to the backside surface, the hole extending through the bondpad; a dielectric material disposed on a sidewall of the hole; a firstconductive material disposed on the dielectric material and contactingat least a portion of the bond pad; and a second conductive materialdisposed on the first conductive material and electrically coupled tothe bond pad via the first conductive material, wherein the secondconductive material is co-planar or recessed with reference to thefrontside surface.
 2. The microelectronic device of claim 1, furthercomprising a conductive member at the backside surface of the substrate,wherein the conductive member is electrically coupled to the bond padvia the interconnect.
 3. The microelectronic device of claim 2 whereinthe conductive member is a solder ball.
 4. The microelectronic device ofclaim 1 wherein the second conductive material fills the hole andextends from the frontside surface to the backside surface.
 5. Themicroelectronic device of claim 1 wherein the dielectric material isdisposed on at least a portion of the bond pad.
 6. The microelectronicdevice of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises one or morepassivation layers.
 7. The microelectronic device of claim 1 wherein thefirst conductive material is at least partially disposed over a topportion of the bond pad, wherein the top portion of the bond pad isadjacent to the frontside surface of the substrate.
 8. Themicroelectronic device of claim 7 wherein the first conductive materialis composed of first and second portions of different materials.
 9. Themicroelectronic device of claim 8 wherein the first portion of theconductive material directly contacts the dielectric material and thesecond portion of the conductive material directly contacts the bondpad.
 10. A microelectronic device comprising: a substrate having a firstside opposite a second side; a bond pad at the first side of thesubstrate; and an interconnect coupled to the bond pad and extendingthrough the substrate from the first side to the second side, theinterconnect comprising— a via passing through the bond pad, the viahaving a sidewall extending from the first side to the second side; adielectric deposited on the sidewall of the via; a first conductordeposited on the dielectric, wherein the first conductor is electricallycoupled to the bond pad; and a second conductor deposited on the firstconductor and electrically coupled to the bond pad through the firstconductor.
 11. The microelectronic device of claim 10 wherein the firstside of the substrate is substantially flat, and wherein the secondconductor is co-planar or recessed with reference to the first side ofthe substrate.
 12. The microelectronic device of claim 10 wherein thesecond conductor is surrounded by a dielectric passivation layer at thefirst side of the substrate.
 13. The microelectronic device of claim 10,further comprising a conductive ball at the second side of thesubstrate, wherein the conductive ball is electrically coupled to thebond pad through the interconnect.
 14. The microelectronic device ofclaim 10 wherein the second conductive material fills the hole andextends from the first side of the substrate to the second side.
 15. Themicroelectronic device of claim 10 wherein the first conductor contactsa top portion of the bond pad adjacent to the first side of thesubstrate.
 16. A microelectronic device comprising: a substrate having agenerally planar first surface that is opposite a second surface; a bondpad carried by the first surface of the substrate; and an interconnectelectrically coupled to the bond pad and providing an electricalconnection at the second surface, the interconnect comprising— a holeextending through the substrate from the first surface to the secondsurface, the hole extending through the bond pad; a dielectric materiallining a sidewall of the hole; a first conductive material lining thedielectric material, wherein the first conductive material contacts atleast a portion of the bond pad; and a second conductive materialdisposed on the first conductive material, wherein the second conductivematerial is electrically coupled to the bond pad via the firstconductive material, and wherein the second conductive material isco-planar or recessed with reference to the first and second surfaces ofthe substrate.
 17. The microelectronic device of claim 16, furthercomprising a conductive member coupled to the second conductive materialand extending away from the second surface of the substrate.
 18. Themicroelectronic device of claim 16 wherein the second conductivematerial fills the hole extending through the substrate.
 19. Themicroelectronic device of claim 16 wherein the first conductor isco-planar or recessed with reference to the first surface.
 20. Themicroelectronic device of claim 16, further comprising a firstdielectric layer at the first surface at least partially surrounding thesecond conductive material, and a second dielectric layer at the secondsurface at least partially surrounding the second dielectric material.